K5 News Up Front: It is time to legalize marijuana

December 18, 2011 - Is it time to legalize marijuana? 

KING 5 News Up Front with Robert Mak: http://www.king5.com/news/up-front/Is-it-time-to-legalize-marijuana-135827158.html

On Seattle television King 5 News, two former US attorneys, John McKay and Kate Pflaumer and the former head of Seattle FBI, Charles Mandigo, spoke out on why they think it's time to change the federal law and to legalize of marijuana.

Pflaumer stated, "It's a policy position that has become obvious to me over 35 years working in criminal law enforcement and criminal law defense."

Even though both US attorneys agree that it's a bad policy, they said it was their job to enforce the law. 

Former head of Seattle FBI, Charles Mandigo says he does not condone the use of marijuana, but he supports the initiative, because he feels strongly that the illegal drug trade and the resulting violence is destroying our society.



Our discussion continues after the taping of KING 5 News Up Front, with former U.S. Attorneys John McKay and Kate Pflaumer, and former Seattle FBI Agent in charge Charlie Mandigo. 

State laws vary greatly, but under Federal law cultivation, possession, or sale of any amount, for any purpose, remain illegal. 

Washington State's Initiative 52 would allow persons 21 and over to have in their possession either 1 ounce of dried marijuana, 16 ounces of marijuana infused food, or 72 ounces in a liquid form. The state's Liquor Control Board would manage the system and the estimated income could be over $215 million per year. The state's DUI laws would be extended to cover driving under the influence of marijuana.

Regarding concerns that the taxes being imposed would so high that this new law would not end the black market for sales, Mandigo replied, "I don't think that's the case, I think that most American people want to be law abiding, and given an opportunity to purchase marijuana in a regulated scheme, and not violate the law, that they would choose that as an option. Further if you are selling it under a regulated scheme, you have quality control and you know exactly what the substance is that is being sold and... at a regulated point-of-sale, that you can impose warning labels like you do for the sale of alcohol or tobacco."

Some people fear that legalization might lead to marijuana becoming available in other places such as grocery stores, as did alcohol. Former US Attorney John McKay said, "The question is whether we should continue criminal prohibition of marijuana... for any amount for any reason. Is that successful? I don't think so. We have a huge number of persons who smoke marijuana and obtain it illegally and the proceeds go to drug cartels. Better for us to look now at a scheme that we regulate, that we tax, and maintain criminal penalties. 

KING 5 News Up Front Extra: After the marijuana interview
http://www.king5.com/news/up-front/video-extra/Up-Front-Extra-After-the-marijuana-interview-135776533.html 

Cannabis Science: http://www.cannabisscience.com/news-a-media/press-releases/250-cbis-reports.html